As many know I have been on a twenty seven year journey trying to gain Indian status registration. The short story is that I continue to be denied due to an unknown grandfather in my father’s lineage. While my Masters work was on identity where I developed a theory and a model of the spiritual implications of having one’s identity denied, at the Doctoral level I placed the issue of the sex discrimination in the Indian Act registration requirements to the side, and looked more deeply at the Algonquin land claims and self-government process. Although I placed it to the side, a large part of my being always remained with this issue through my section 15 Charter challenge.

Through her research, Mallory Richard of the Canadian Museum of Human Rights (CMHR) discovered an undergraduate article I wrote titled “The Queen and I”, and from this she was able to find me through my personal website. Mallory contacted me, asking if I was interested in a collaboration project in terms of having my oral history as a human rights advocate recorded for the museum archives. Of course I joyfully said “yes”. While many know and love Jeannette Corbiere-Lavell, less is known about Yvonne Bedard. Most know it was in 1973 when Jeannette’s and Yvonne’s cases were heard together in the Supreme Court of Canada. While I have had the pleasure of both meeting Jeannette and the pleasure of her company, I have always wondered where Yvonne was and what she has been up to all these years. Through social media I was able to connect with Linda Ense − the Executive Director of the Native Women’s Centre Hamilton, a local of the Ontario Native Women’s Association − who is Yvonne’s niece. Through this process I was able to facilitate a relationship between Yvonne and Mallory. It was simple, I implored, “You must interview Yvonne, as we all want to know about her journey as an advocate for Indigenous women’s human rights as well”. Needless to say, it worked out and Mallory was able to record both mine and Yvonne’s struggle to gain Indigenous women’s human rights. Jeannette’s as well.

Copyright Nik Gehl

Eventually I was able to meet Yvonne and she was such a delight. While normally I do not allow photographs to be taken of me, on this occasion I did. I just love this photograph of the two of us. The way Yvonne is looking at me is humourous. During my oral history interview, Mallory asked me some very interesting questions about my hopes and dreams. Certainly meeting Yvonne was something I hoped for. “Chi-miigwetch” Mallory for locating me and “chi-miigwetch” to Linda for helping me locate your auntie Yvonne. The CMHR opens in 2014.

I have a similar ancestry, descended from the another French women who first came, with intermarrying with native peoples each generation after that to the previous generation to me. I have no idea where I really stand in terms of status. I don't pursue it, but I don't consider myself an ally. I am First Nations, even though I do not claim any band.

I have been following and supporting native resistance since the late '60s, and would not follow several of the groups which have been part of that. There is violent talk and hate talk. When in your ally statement you tell allies not to speak, to follow, to listen, I think this needs to be acknowledged: we should not give up our principles and accept harmful practices just because natives are putting it forward. We should speak up.

Thanks for this great site, which I will follow. We are sisters.

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red

2/18/2013 04:39:17 pm

My apologies I think I put this in the wrong thread.

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Lisa Bedard Redding

3/8/2014 02:39:04 am

I am so proud to say that this beautiful women Yvonne Bedard is my mother!She fought so very hard to gain her status rand its because of her that I her daughter have got her status and her granddaughters are in the process of getting theirs!

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Lynn

3/8/2014 09:40:10 am

Miigwetch Lisa. Your mom is special to me too. Lynn

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Anne Croley

3/8/2014 11:14:10 am

What a wonderful surprise when browsing on facebook tonight, I spotted my wonderful Auntie Yvonne (or Doodah as my children and grandchildren know her). Yvonne is my mothers baby sister and has always been an inspiration to me.

I am half Native and half French Canadian and while my mother regained her status in 1987, I procrastinated for quite a while. My mother passed away 4 years ago and one of the first things that I did was to get my status. I don't know why I never pursued it earlier as I have always been very proud of my heritage. My youngest daughter has also got her status now and one of my son's is waiting for his to be approved. That's two down and three to go.

Good luck in your quest.

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Xotzin

9/1/2014 11:42:16 pm

This is great work you're all doing as women for all our generations. I could never hope to have tribal status so I live each day learning to let go a little more. Being adopted has been interesting to say the least and what adoption has brought me with paperwork and "red tape" (wishing it was red tape in a good way lol) has made this process of finding my family/ancestry difficult at best. I've had so much help from so many amazing women over the last 20+ years of searching and am grateful for every moment. Thank you for always saying what's in your heart and on your mind, it's refreshing for sure. Your stories have helped my heart a lot and I learn more this way , reading about your work etc. Thank you Lynn and all , tiahui